Interview with John Ed Pearce, January 9, 1993

Interview Summary

Pearce begins the interview by discussing his family history, educational background, and childhood during the Great Depression. Additionally, Pearce's first job at Swift and Company is examined, followed by a synopsis of his time spent at the University of Kentucky, and his military service. Next, the interviewee talks of his Somerset Journal experience, first marriage, and career with the Louisville Courier-Journal. Then, the business aspects of the Courier-Journal, including the Bingham family, are articulated. Following this, Pearce shares his work habits, writing and publishing career, and his friendship with politician Bert T. Combs. The current and future projects of Pearce, as well as the nature of creativity are considered. Additional topics of conversation include: winning the Pulitzer Prize, Kentucky politics, national politics (for instance, the election of Bill Clinton as president), influential writers, Wendell Berry's family, Keeneland, and commentary on growing old and loneliness.

Interview Keyword

Louisville Courier-Journal University of Kentucky U.S. Navy Virginia Kentucky World War II

Interview LC Subject

Authors, American--Kentucky Intellectual life Literature Journalists Newspapers Columns World War, 1939-1945

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.